Shelter hosting special adoption event today to ease overcrowding

Who isn't appalled to hear that more than 350 cats were euthanized at the local animal shelter this summer?

But don't blame the shelter. Blame yourself ... or your neighbor ... or just public apathy in general.

The fact remains that just during May, June and July, 354 cats and kittens -- and 98 dogs and puppies -- were "put down" at the shelter for a variety of reasons, mostly because they were sick, injured or showed signs of aggression. About 65 of the cats were feral, and about a half-dozen were just old and had health issues.

The August numbers aren't going to be pretty, either, with some cats being euthanized simply because the shelter had run out of room to house them.

With these outrageous numbers, it should be crystal clear even to people who don't care about animals that something must be done to alleviate the pet-overpopulation problem.

"People need to understand the importance of spaying and neutering," said Kent Preston, interim executive director of the Humane Society of Henderson County.

Preston noted that litter after litter of kittens -- many of them sick -- continue to be brought into the shelter on a daily basis. They have been "coming in by the boxful," he said. Some of the people dropping off the kittens even have commented that they brought a litter in last year, too, he said.

While any animal lover hopes that these unwanted kittens find good homes, the real heart of the matter is the need for those kittens' mothers to be spayed. That way, next year -- or even sooner -- the mother cats won't be producing more litters.

"It's a never-ending cycle until we take care of Mama," Preston said, noting that low-cost spay-neuter options are available in this area.

To combat the overcrowded shelter, a special adoption event will be taking place this afternoon at the Drury Lane facility.

From 1 to 5 p.m. today, the shelter will host an adoptathon in which adoption fees will be reduced on adult dogs and all cats.

"We're making a public outcry to get these dogs and cats out of the building" alive, Preston said.

Today only, cats can be adopted for just $25 and adult dogs for $60. The fee for puppies up to 6 months old remains $85. The adoption fee includes initial shots, spaying/neutering and microchipping if requested.

"Ninety percent of the animals will be able to go home that day," Preston said, because most of the shelter residents have already been spayed or neutered. "If they fall in love, they can take them home."

Officials hope the special event will open up much-needed space for the dogs and cats that will continue to arrive at the shelter in the coming weeks.

"We're about to be overloaded, especially with cats," Preston said. "Cats are maxed out and dogs will be getting there quickly."

Longtime volunteer Cheryl Griffee, who takes shelter cats and dogs to the adoption event at PetSmart every Saturday, will be helping oversee today's event.

Griffee has set a goal of getting at least 20 cats and dogs adopted this afternoon.

"We're so overpopulated," she said. "Healthy animals are going to have to be put down," which is something she passionately hopes to avoid, unless a lot of animals are adopted this afternoon.

Griffee noted that she is rarely able to take kittens to the PetSmart adoptathons because all of the handling and activity is too stressful for them.

That's why today's event is so important to the animals who never get taken to outside adoption events.

"These guys have got no other chance than this Sunday," she said last week.

Both Preston and Griffee noted that it's a good time for prospective pet owners to visit the shelter and pick out a new pet.

"If anybody wants a cat or kitten, now's the time," Griffee said. "Some of these babies are absolutely precious."

Preston said that cats and kittens are available "in every color and shape" and that a wide variety of dogs are also awaiting adoption, from "7-week-old puppies on up."

The director urges the public to stop by the shelter this afternoon and check out the available dogs and cats.

"I encourage people to come out," he said. "It will be a great day to adopt a pet."